3
Chapter 3 Budding Talent
“Wow……”
All the students of Class 1-4 at Sangnok Elementary were startled the moment homeroom began and they saw Do Minho enter with the teacher.
“We have a transfer student.”
A transfer student. For children who had only just finished their first semester and summer vacation, it was an unfamiliar word.
Even more unfamiliar was his pale skin that couldn’t be compared to that of a countryside kid, along with his neat and refined appearance. His stylish clothes only emphasized it further.
‘He looks cool…….’
Although Do Minho had been returned, he had lived as an adopted child in a wealthy household, so everything he wore was expensive and beautiful.
Unlike the other children who wore clothes at least one size bigger because they were still growing, he wore clothes that fit his body perfectly. To the kids, that alone was both shocking and enviable.
Even if they were still at the age where they wore whatever their parents gave them, they still had eyes to recognize beauty and the sense to judge it.
“Shall we hear your introduction?”
At the homeroom teacher’s request, Do Minho walked to the center near the teacher’s desk.
“Hello? I’m Do Minho. I look forward to getting along with you.”
It was a very short introduction. But it was enough.
For Do Minho, who was aiming to become class president, the fact that he lived in Happiness Orphanage and his history of being returned would only do more harm than good.
‘Yes. This is enough.’
The teacher, who knew as much as one could about Do Minho, thought his decision was wise.
Hiding weaknesses wasn’t lying, but a smart way to navigate life.
However, from the students’ perspective, the introduction left them a bit disappointed.
‘Where did he come from?’
‘Where does he live?’
They were simply too shy and awkward at speaking up to ask.
‘He’s cool…….’
So even though it was just his name and a simple greeting, the fact that Do Minho stood confidently in front of thirty-nine students made him seem even cooler.
“Alright, shall we now hold the class president election?”
Teacher Han Yuri personally moved Minho’s desk, then wrote “Class President Election” on the board.
“Who wants to be class president?”
In the first semester of first grade at Sangnok Elementary, the class president role rotated among all students.
But starting from the second semester, like other grades, it was decided through an election.
The first semester’s experience was meant as motivation for the second semester election.
Although it was almost like a meaningless honorary position, for children who wanted recognition more than they feared shyness, being class president was quite desirable.
Questions and exclamations from adults like “Who’s your class president?” and “Oh, you’re the class president!” were enough to make their shoulders rise with pride.
Especially because their parents reacted strongly, many children wanted the position.
Some parents even said, “You must be the only class president this semester.”
The problem was that not many children could live up to those expectations.
Above all, being eight years old meant they were shy, or in other words, timid.
Fortunately, there were still a few who wanted to meet their parents’ expectations, and even more who instinctively desired the title.
“Me!”
As expected, three students in Class 1-4 raised their hands and ran for the election.
“Me too!”
Do Minho, who had written “become class president” on his bucket list, also raised his hand.
‘No way…….’
It was only natural that the students were surprised to see a transfer student run for class president right away.
His first impression was good, but for that to overcome the bonds built over an entire semester was something their young hearts couldn’t easily accept.
The other candidates had run because they believed they had a chance.
But Do Minho was confident.
The election was by secret ballot, and he looked impressive.
‘This isn’t good…….’
Teacher Han Yuri even began to wonder if she might end up leading a class with an orphan as class president.
His appearance alone was overwhelming.
Moreover, even the most sociable child at eight years old couldn’t become close with all forty classmates.
But Do Minho had a charm that made anyone want to get close to him.
‘Ah, whatever. It’ll probably be fine.’
Even the teacher, who felt uneasy at the thought, found herself persuaded.
“Alright, candidates, come forward and explain why you should become class president and what you will do for your classmates.”
At this moment, the most nervous ones were the three candidates who had encountered an unexpected rival.
“Taeyoung, you raised your hand first. Do you want to go first?”
“No… I’ll go last.”
The child who usually spoke confidently in class backed down.
“Then Chanho, you go first.”
“Yes.”
But there was nothing special about his speech.
“Hel. lo. I. am. first. grade……”
His voice was loud, but he spoke like a kindergartener, breaking words into syllables.
There was no substance either.
It was just a slow and detailed introduction of things everyone already knew.
As for promises, they were all the usual clichés about being a good example and taking initiative.
“Then Minho, would you like to go?”
Minho was different.
“Do you know what my name means?”
At his sudden question, the students tilted their heads.
Enjoying their attention, Minho wrote his name on the board in Chinese characters.
“It means a bright jade stone. But I don’t really understand that. No matter how smart a jade stone is, it’s still just a stone, right?”
“Pfft!”
The students, who had been listening dryly, burst into laughter.
“So I decided to give my name a new meaning.”
There was strong curiosity in their laughter.
“You know the game dominoes, right?”
“Yes!”
They were excited by the rediscovery of Do Minho and dominoes.
“It’s a game where you line them up and knock them down.”
As lines resembling dominoes filled the board, their eyes lit up.
“I will become the first domino to move. I will make it so that all of you become connected like a domino chain.”
In his previous life, Do Minho used to say he would be a domino that never falls.
A piece that, being alone, would end if it fell.
He believed falling only benefited others.
He never realized that dominoes weren’t meant to stand still, but to move as part of something greater.
Only after falling, only after living a second life, did he understand.
Dominoes don’t fall to end. They move to complete something, and to begin anew.
“Cleaning. I will start first.”
Even though cleaning was usually done by older students, he was sincere.
“Homework. I will do it first. Presentations. I will go first. And I will help all of you.”
‘What is this…….’
Teacher Han Yuri’s mind went blank.
This was nothing like the boy the orphanage director had asked her to take special care of.
‘Is he really a first grader?’
Even to a new teacher like her, Do Minho seemed extraordinary.
He was no longer a child who needed special care, but a promising bud of Class 1-4.
Clap clap!
Her body reacted instinctively, applauding loudly.
The students followed.
“Wow!”
Unlike the teacher, who restrained herself, the children expressed pure admiration.
‘He’s amazing.’
Even the three competing candidates applauded sincerely.
“Teacher, I don’t want to be class president anymore.”
“Me neither.”
“Me neither.”
Not wanting to fight a losing battle, and wanting to become Minho’s friend, they withdrew.
Do Minho became the only candidate.
“Quite an impressive kid has arrived.”
“Indeed.”
The orphanage director and the principal, who had been watching from the hallway, left with satisfied expressions.
“But why would such a smart child be returned?”
“Well, raising him like that must have taken effort. I heard he even studied abroad in America.”
“Hmm… a child isn’t an accessory.”
“What do you mean?”
“Pretty and smart children are easier to adopt, but isn’t one’s own child still better?”
“That’s true, but……”
“They had a biological child.”
“Ah……”
“Officially, a change of heart isn’t a valid reason, but leaving a child with parents who no longer want him is abuse. If they could abandon their own child, what about an adopted one?”
“That’s… sad. Becoming smart early… becoming mature early…”
“I thought so too at first, but he might do something remarkable. He became class president the moment he transferred.”
“Haha, that’s true.”
“If he’s this strong, maybe he won’t need help, but give it.”
“I hope so. Though it may sound harsh, orphanage kids often cause trouble.”
“I’m sorry.”
The director lowered his head.
“Please guide them well. Parents are complaining.”
“Yes……”
The orphanage children were a problem for both the school and the town.
“I’ve been lenient, but the new vice principal won’t be.”
“Yes……”
“I’m here this year, but not next.”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again!”
Director Lee Seunghun had come not only because of Minho’s transfer, but due to a recent bullying incident.
“You must keep that promise.”